Sentient AI Thriller ‘Hot Spot’ From Agnieszka Smoczyńska Lands at Focus Features
Focus Features has acquired worldwide distribution rights, excluding Poland, Greece, and France, to “Hot Spot,” a near-future thriller about artificial intelligence from director Agnieszka Smoczyńska.
The film, which wrapped production in Greece on Nov. 22, marks Smoczyńska’s second collaboration with the studio following “The Silent Twins.”
Set in a society ruled by sentient AI, the film follows a private investigator who stumbles upon a rebel group capable of undermining the digital overlord while investigating a murder case. BAFTA nominee Noomi Rapace stars alongside Andrzej Konopka and Reika Kirishima, working from an original script by Smoczyńska’s frequent collaborator Robert Bolesto.
Polish production company Madants’ Klaudia Śmieja-Rostworowska, Smoczyńska’s longtime producing partner, and Bogna Szewczyk-Skupień are producing. Co-producers include Amanda Livanou (Neda Film), Kristina Börjeson (Film i Väst), Lizette Jonjic (Zentropa), Canal+ Polska’s Beata Ryczkowska and Filip Bałdyga, and Adam Gudell from Moderator Inwestycje. Gregory Jankilevitsch, Marcin Czernik, and Christos V. Konstantakopulos serve as executive producers, with Focus Features’ Michelle Momplaisir overseeing the project.
The deal was negotiated by Focus Features’ senior VP of business affairs Iddo Arad and Przybecki & Partners for the producers. Mid March Media, Madants, and New Europe Film Sales brokered the film, with Marcin Łuczaj and Jan Naszewski also executive producing. Faliro House is handling Greek production services. The Polish Film Institute and the Hellenic Film & Audiovisual Center – Creative Greece co-financed the production.
“Agnieszka is a singular visionary whose work – be it about vampire mermaids, silent twins or a tech-ruled society – is both visually astounding and thematically prophetic, and we can’t wait to share her latest with the world,” said Kiska Higgs, president of production and acquisitions at Focus Features.
Smoczyńska added: “I’m honored to work with Focus Features. Their remarkable achievements in film are matched only by their unwavering respect and support for directors. With ‘Hot Spot,’ my goal is to create an immersive cinematic experience that captures the essence of today’s world, where advanced technology feels like magic, and love is intricately tied to fear.”
Smoczyńska is represented by UTA, Black Bear, and High Spot. Konopka is with Cont-act, while Rapace is repped by CAA and Stella Hernström, with Kurt Selling negotiating the deal. Kirishima is represented by Nest Co.
Focus Features’ current slate includes Edward Berger’s “Conclave” with Ralph Fiennes, Stanley Tucci and Isabella Rossellini; Morgan Neville’s Lego-themed Pharrell Williams biopic “Piece by Piece”; Robert Eggers’ “Nosferatu”; Steven Soderbergh’s “Black Bag” starring Cate Blanchett and Michael Fassbender; Yorgos Lanthimos’ “Bugonia” with Emma Stone and Jesse Plemons; Ronan Day-Lewis’ directorial debut “Anemone” featuring Daniel Day-Lewis; “Song Sung Blue” with Hugh Jackman and Kate Hudson; Chloé Zhao’s “Hamnet” starring Paul Mescal and Jessie Buckley; and a new “Downton Abbey” instalment.
